If you enjoy bodyboarding and you want to catch more waves, then you want the best bodyboard fins to go with it. Bodyboard fins help you with propulsion and swimming, allowing you to paddle more quickly and effectively so you can catch all the waves you want.
There are a lot of bodyboard fins from which to choose, though, so we’ve done the research for you and come up with this list of the best bodyboard fins.
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Why Should You Buy Bodyboard Fins?
Nothing feels more soul-cleansing than catching all the waves. A great day of bodyboarding leaves you feeling at peace with the world. No matter where you are, it’s always just you and the waves.
Unless you’re dealing with the frustration of not being able to paddle quickly enough to catch as many waves as you’d like. Then a day out on the water can turn into just another irritating day.
Like snorkeling fins, bodyboard fins boost your thrust as you paddle, allowing you to get up to and maintain the pace you need for each wave more easily. They also help you react more quickly to the water than you can with just your feet.
When you surf, you use your arms to paddle, and you have a certain amount of power that way. Can you imagine trying to surf without using your arms? Trying to bodyboard without fins is similar.
To be sure, it’s not the same. You don’t absolutely need fins. But they help a lot, so you’ll have much more fun out on the water.
Can You Bodyboard Without Fins?
Yes, but you won’t get the power you need to catch lots of waves. You’ll only be able to catch a few this way. So while they aren’t necessary, having them helps a lot. Who wants to spend a day trying to bodyboard when you can spend the day bodyboarding as much as possible.
Also, you’re putting unnecessary energy into the sport without fins. Not only do they help you move faster, but you won’t be super tired at the end of a session.
The Best Bodyboard Fins on the Market
Here are the top eight best bodyboard fins on the market today.
Churchill Makapuu Swim Bodyboard Fins
Churchill has made an excellent name for itself in the world of water sports, particularly those that require fins. These fins behave very similarly to a dolphin’s tail, making them great for bodyboarding.
Their slip-on design makes them easy to use and comfortable to wear, and use natural gum rubber as their primary material. They’re flexible near your foot and stiffen out towards the end of the fin blade, giving you a natural swimming movement.
Pros
- Unisex and available in kids’ sizes
- Decades of experience with swim fins
- Vertical edges give control without sacrificing acceleration
- Individually inspected
- Will float in the water
Cons
- Can slip off, so you might need ankle bracelets
- Socks might be required to prevent blistering
Kpaloa Pro Bodyboard Fins
Professionally designed, Kpaloa’s Pro bodyboard fins are great for beginners and experts alike. They mix rubber densities in the fin’s construction so it supports every move you make in the water.
They’re durable, made of vulcanized rubber, but have a soft rubber foot pocket and low-profile straps. These fins have outstanding propulsion, float in the water, and give you both the speed and control you need to catch all the waves you want.
Pros
- Made specifically for enhancing fluidity during kicks
- Three escape holes allow water to drain off quickly
- Tested heavily in and out of the water
- Lateral ridges help you move more smoothly
- Symmetrical blades reduce problems with twisting
Cons
- Tend to run small
- You might need socks to help them fit better
Hydro Tech 2 Ocean Swim Bodyboard Fins
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If you’re looking for a brand that makes several models of their best bodyboard fin, look no further than Hydro Tech 2. Their Ocean Swim Bodyboard Fins are more versatile than most other fins on the market, so you can find a pair (or several) that will work for your particular style of paddling.
These fins don’t use hard rubber, unlike most of their competitors. They use T-form, which is a type of silicon, and that, combined with their shape, supports your kicks in such a way that you aren’t putting too much effort in and exhausting yourself.
Pros
- Max propulsion without a corresponding effort
- Silicon is more comfortable than rubber
- Ergonomic foot pockets for comfort and ease
- Designed for both sand and water to escape quickly
- Can be placed on your board when you’re kneeling
Cons
- The footbed is left/right dependent
- Requires leashes or bracelets
Voit Duckfeet Swim Bodyboard Fins
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These were among the first fins ever made for bodyboarders, and while the company that makes them now isn’t original, they’re excellent fins that give you everything you need in the water.
Voit makes its Duckfeet Swim fins with rubber in two different densities with a near-rigid toe blade for maximum thrust, along with a softer rubber foot pocket that, when sized properly, fits very snugly but not uncomfortably tight.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty that’s been tested by experts
- Available in adult and child sizes
- Trusted design
- Straight heel straps allow for stability and comfort
- Extremely long-lasting
Cons
- Size charts aren’t always accurate
- You have to adapt to these fins
DaFin Swim Bodyboard Fins
DaFin currently makes some of the most popular bodyboard fins in the world right now, which is no surprise since these fins not only give you outstanding thrust and stability on the board but also help prevent you from slipping on rocks.
These fins come in a variety of colors and styles to fit your specific bodyboarding experience and style and have spines on the top to help increase your stability and control of your bodyboard. If you’re looking for one of the best bodyboarding fins on the market, these are it.
Pros
- Inexpensive considering everything they do
- Safe enough for lifeguards to use
- Endorsed by the United States Lifesaving Association
- Made of pliable Malaysian rubber
- Inexpensive despite their quality
Cons
- Extra equipment is needed for added comfort
- Too long to tread water easily
Viper Vector V5 Bodyboarding Swim Fins
The spreader bar shape of the Vector V4 bodyboarding fins with full-length side rails for maximum power in the water. They allow for great maneuverability to help you catch even the toughest waves on the ocean.
These fins are a little longer than others, with a five-inch blade, plus the side rails narrow down to a fine point at the front for versatility that it’s suitable not just for bodyboarding, but also life-guarding and bodysurfing.
Pros
- Great for snorkeling, too
- Its shorter blade length allows for quicker kicks
- Comes in a variety of men’s and women’s sizes
- Allows for burst speed to catch that elusive wave
- Lightweight
Cons
- Stiff enough to be good for experts but not beginners
- May require neoprene socks
MS Viper Bodyboard Fins
These fins have a unique delta design, like a river delta, so you can make unexpected, tight turns. Their short size adds extra maneuverability and quicker kicks with the same propulsion. For added control, the beveled side rails give you extra security and stability.
MS Viper’s fins come with several different levels of stiffness, matching all levels of experience and expertise. Experts will want stiffer fins while inexperienced or beginning bodyboarders need fins that are less responsive so they can learn.
Pros
- They’re color-coded so you know what level you’re getting.
- Excellent for drop-knee
- Unusually comfortable on your feet
- Fits well over a bootie
- Turn easily and quickly when you need to
Cons
- Works okay, but is not ideal, for people with wide feet
- You need socks to avoid blisters
DORSAL Bodyboard Swim Fins
If you’re looking for excellent maneuvering and propulsion from a fin made from natural materials, DORSAL’s swim fins fit that bill. They’re made from gum rubber, which is one of the strongest rubbers on the market.
These were made with a vacuum design and drain water and sand beautifully because of it. They also have three blade ridges that give you extra power when you need it most in the water. These fins will serve you very well for a long time.
Pros
- Excellent speed and acceleration
- 100 percent gum rubber in the foot pockets ensures maximum comfort
- Orca design gives you more speed with less effort than dolphin-tail fins
- Drainage holes on the bottom of the toe
- Soften up when wet
Cons
- You need to break them in
- Might have trouble keeping them on
How to Choose Bodyboard Fins
What all do you need to know before you buy bodyboard fins? The best bodyboard fins for someone else may not be the best for you. There are several factors you should consider before buying bodyboard finds.
Size
You’ll be comfortable in the right size fins for hours, whereas you’ll start to notice problems pretty early if you have the wrong size.
Fortunately, your fin size is fairly close to your shoe size, so finding the right size shouldn’t be all that difficult. Each fin brand has its own sizing chart and they vary from brand to brand. However, you can usually find your corresponding shoe size and use that as your starting point for shopping.
Basically, your fins should be tighter than your shoes, but not uncomfortably tight.
Material
Bodyboard fins use either PVC, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber (although you can find silicon fins, too). What you buy depends on your experience level and what will work best for you. For instance, a fin with stiffer rubber or PVC and softer rubber around your foot will give you better paddling power.
However, a stiffer fin may not be good for you if you’re a beginner, because they might be more responsive than you can handle. They’re more durable, but you’ll have problems learning bodyboarding if you’re using stiff fins.
Thus, it’s important to keep stiffness in mind so you don’t wind up with something too soft or too stiff.
Power and Control
To a degree, this goes with the stiffness of the fin you’re looking at. Your fins enhance your kicking ability, aiding you in moving faster to catch more waves.
Bigger fins will give you more power, but fins that are too big make things difficult to control.
Fit and Comfort
The most comfortable fins will have a flexible foot insert that will help ensure maximum comfort.
You want your toes close to the end of the fin, but not bumping up against it, and it should feel snug against your heel without being tight. The top of your fin shouldn’t press down too hard on your foot. If it starts to hurt after a few minutes or feels like it’s pressing too hard, try a different size.
Finally, if you plan to wear thick fin socks, add three or four sizes to the fins you want. If you’re wearing thin socks, add one to two sizes.
Other Considerations
Look for a pair of fins that float, because even if you have the exact size you need, you could still lose one. If it floats, you’ll be able to see it and, ideally, retrieve it.
Whether or not you need swim socks is up to you, but if you don’t want to worry about chafing and blistering, among other things, you might want to consider a pair of swim socks too.
Finally, these fins are smaller than swimming or snorkeling fins and often asymmetric because that gives you more power when you paddle.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a bodyboarder or considering bodyboarding, you need the best bodyboarding fins available. Keep in mind that these kinds of fins are personal the way skis are personal. Once you get used to them you’re loath to change.
Even so, every one of these fins has nice durability so you won’t have to buy fins repeatedly to enjoy the water. Good fins will help you out with propulsion, reduce your effort, and allow you to catch more waves.